Sunday, September 26, 2010

So, this is my first part of "Life is Pretty Much Warped." I'm making it into parts because to be frank, it's to long to combine into one entire article. So today this segment is about how society became what it is today with idealistic woman.

The first image of an idealistic woman came out between the 19th and 20th century. She was called "The Gibson Girl". Since there was no sources of photography and internet yet, she was drawn in ink pen by artist Charles Dana Gibson, hence the last name.

In the 1920s, this was the time of silent film. So many talented actresses shined through this period, but only one actress had sex appeal when she acted, or should we say she had "IT?" Clara Bow was a phenomenon during her time, creating sultry looks onscreen. Did you know, that Clara Bow helped incorporate sex scenes in films?

During the 1930s dealt with the The Great Depression. But sex appeal still cam out on top. The term "Burlesque" was an early development in this era. The most famous Burlesque dancer, was Gypsy Rose Lee. She was known for performing stripteases. Eventually, her influential life was made into a stage musical and a film as well.

In the 1940s, the second World War was happening. Since men were overseas in Europe, American stars, sent racy pictures of themselves. This is called "pin-up" Stars such as Donna Reed, were pin-ups during WW2. But probably the most well known pin-up girl of the 1940s was Betty Grable. Her iconic photograph of her wearing a one piece bathing suit, Grable holds the title of the number one pin-up girl during WW2.

After the tragic events during WW2 came to a close, people were happier in the 1950s. In 1953, Playboy, the first men's magazine, was launched by Hugh Hefner. Marilyn Monroe, a well-known actress as well as an iconic pin-up was the first women to grace the cover of Playboy.

The 1960s was a time of innovation. Television was booming, even fashion spiced up this era. Woman created their own style. Twiggy rocked the pixie with mod eye makeup. Tina Louise was the foxy red haired, "Ginger Grant" on Gilligan's Island. But the woman who had so much impact and controversy during this time, was French import Brigitte Bardot. She was known for having sex-kitten roles in various films. Bardot sported the smokey eyes, cascading blonde waves and a subtle gap toothed smile.

The 1970s involved big hair and great music. Don't forget about the trends of woman now! Woman developed the tomboy look, wearing jeans and just looking comfy. Charlie's Angels was a television show that was about three beautiful woman, trying to stop crime. The three woman on the show: Jaqueline Bisset, Farrah Fawcett, and Cheryl Ladd were all influential when it came to looks and fashion.

During the 1980s, it was all about being wild and being you. Woman developed their own style and became their own person. Woman of the 80s dressed loud and wild. You had woman who had sex appeal like Tawny Kittaen or even Kelly LeBrock. But most women were influenced by Madonna, who was known for having a unique sense of style.

When the 1990s is talked about today, many people don't know what went on because their was so many things involved in the 1990s. You may think woman were into the grudge style, but that was very rare, or even the hip-hop style for American woman was also rare as well. 90210, the zip code in Beverly Hills and known as one of the most watched shows in the 90s. 902l0 was named the most stylish on T.V. during the 90s and some say even today as well.

The 2000s developed no fashion whatsoever, it just brought back old fashion trends. The terms "trashy" and "skanky" came into to play when celebrities tried to hard and left to much to imagine. Stars like, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, and Mariah Carey were known for dressing a tad bit trashy while on the red carpet. Probably the most watched, followed, and influenced star in the 2000s was Britney Spears. She had the good girl image, but she would always up her game and her style too, which many woman followed.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Forever 21 is a affordable clothing store for teenagers and young adults. They have fashion forward pieces that look like it was designed by Marc Jacobs or even Prada. But like every store or fashion brand, they have its flaws. Forever 21 is also known for having, tacky and trashy clothing thats revealing a tad bit too much imagination shall we say? So, we go through the highs and lows of Forever 21.

1) Shirts- From left to right:

Left- Worst

Right- Best

2) Sweaters- From left to right:

Left- Worst

Right- Best

3) Shoes- From left to right:

Left-Best

Right- Worst

4) Jewelry- From left to right-

Left- Best

Right- Worst

5) Purses- From left to right-

Left- Worst

Right- Best

6) Skirts- From left to right-

Left- Worst

Right- Best

7) Pants- From left to right-

Left- Worst

Right- Best

8) Dresses- From left to right

Left- Worst

Right- Best

So, please don't get mad at me if you hate the best dressed items or if you love the worst dressed items, darling opinions are opinions.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Seventeen, is a magazine, a number, and also a age. Being seventeen is the age where your on the verge of being an adult, but at the same time you're still a misunderstood teenager. In the world of music, many artists, write and then eventually perform songs about what its like being seventeen. So, today we are going through a list of the best songs about being seventeen.

"Sixteen Going on Seventeen"- This song was composed in 1959, for the famous musical, The Sound of Music. The song focuses on how a young girl is entering womanhood, and going away from her teenager days.

Lyrics Excerpt- "You are 16 going on 17, baby its time to think. Better beware. Be canny and careful, baby you're on the brink."

"At Seventeen"-This song was written and performed by singer Janis Ian. This song deals with teen angst and what it feels like to be an outcast in high school.

Lyrics Excerpt- "I learned the truth at seventeen,that love was meant for beauty queens. And high school girls with clear skinned smiles,who married young and then retired. The valentines I never knew."

"Edge of Seventeen"-This song was performed by Stevie Nicks, in 1982. The song deals with how the age of 17 effects you. When something tragic happened in your life, you don't have to be afraid to still have a little bit of teen angst in you.

Lyrics Excerpt- "But the moment... that I first laid...eyes... on... him... all alone...on the edge of... seventeen.

"17" -This song was written and performed by Kings of Leon. This song is about a girl who's caught up in her own little world. She doesn't know how to stop or slow down.

"17"- This is a song written and performed by Sky Ferreria. This song is about a girl who is growing about to fast, and how seventeen year olds can forget about their youth when they are about to become an adult.

Lyrics Excerpt- "And they'll never know she's 17. Oh, and she's drinking with her friends, and they're all 21, I wonder how much longer she can get away with —Her dirty little secret."